Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall
March 13, 2012 – 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Stephen Amico, James Egan, Richard Flynn, Donald Howard and David Soper
Members Absent:
Others Present: Town Administrator Rene’ J. Read and Executive Assistant Meredith Marini
I 7:32 p.m.~~~~~~~Chairman Amico called the meeting to order. Chairman Amico led the Pledge Allegiance
II TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT Board of Health – Mr. Read reported that last month, a member of the Board of Health voiced concern with respect to files relating to property owned by a member of the Board of Selectmen that were unable to be found in that office and alleged, with respect to their location and the staff’s inability to find said files, that a crime may have been committed.
On February 9, 2012, an investigation was conducted in the Board of Health office resulting in the location of the files in question which had apparently been misfiled under a different drawer in a file cabinet.
Since an allegation was made that a crime may have been committed, the Chief of Police and I conferred and contact was made through the Police Department to the District Attorney’s office.~ The District Attorney’s office reviewed the materials provided relative to this matter and found “that it appears no criminal conduct occurred and that this was simply a mislabeling of the file.”
III NEW BUSINESS
Review Budget – Mr. Read reviewed the estimated revenues. He indicated that the snow and ice deficit is significantly less than last year due to the mild winter. Mr. Read reduced the cut from local aid from 10% to 5% . The revenues are $18,382,048 and the budget is $18,436,676. The budget includes a 1.5% increase for department heads, W&P, Clerical, Highway and Police. Mr. Read has provided partial restoration of positions at Town Hall. Mr. Read decreased his estimate for the school assessment from 4% to 2%. The articles for the Special total $382,240.
Mr. Read reviewed the article cost calculator where he reduced some of the amounts in the proposed warrant. Mr. Read explained that three firefighters will be retiring in the next two years. Originally, he funded the total cost of $135,000 and has subsequently decided to only partially fund the retirements at $90,000 and add funds to the article next year. Mr. Read may remove the payroll module request from the Special. He is also checking the cost to upgrade of the e-mail server. He has set aside $50,000 for stabilization. The amount may change if the budget gets tight. He would like to put some money in stabilization. Mr. Read not comfortable adding back positions to the fire, highway and library. He wants to be sure it is sustainable.
Close & Review May Annual & Special Town Meeting Warrants
MOTION by Howard, second by Soper to close the Annual and Special Town meeting warrants.
Voted 5 - 0
By consensus the Board agreed to review the articles at the next meeting. Mrs. Marini pointed out that members from the Water Department were present and suggested the Board review their articles.
ARTICLE Q: To see if the Town will vote to accept the following By-Law governing all procedures relative to water supply betterments in the Town of Hanson.
Water Commissioner Mike Duffy indicated that the by-law is being presented as a result of a vote at the October Special Town meeting accepting Mass. General Law relative to betterments. The first project will be on Woodbine Ave Ext. Six of the seven residents have signed on to the project. The by-law is crafted using models from other communities.
ARTICLE R: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of constructing a water main extension for Woodbine Avenue Ext. and that to meet this appropriation; This is to provide a new water main down Woodbine Avenue Extension for residents to have town drinking water.
Mr. Duffey explained that this article allows for the borrowing of the water main project.
ARTICLE S : To see if the Town will transfer $60,000 from Water Department Surplus to be added to Article 16 Water Meters of the October 6, 1997 Special Town Meeting, for the purpose of buying new water meters and related equipment for the Water Department;
Mr. Merritt explained this is an annual article. They replace ten percent approximately 300 meters each year of which 45% are radio reads.
ARTICLE T: To see if the Town will vote to transfer $150,000 from Water Surplus to fund the purchase and installation of an Emergency Generator for the Crystal Spring Wellfield
Mr. Merritt indicated that the generator needs to be replaced. It has been in place since the 1980s. The upgrade is necessary to meet code and avoid the need to go to Brockton. The project will have to be bid. The funds will also include fencing. They will be using 1000 gallon propane for energy.
ARTICLE U To see if the Town will vote to transfer $50,000 from Water Surplus to purchase a water service
Explanation: This new truck will replace a 1999 Ford F-350 which has an odometer reading of approximately 190,000 miles.
Mr. explained the vehicle will replace a 1999 Ford F-350 with approximately 190,000 miles. They will be purchasing a utility truck. Mr. Amico inquired about purchasing a used vehicle. Neal would consider it. The amount requested could be a little high. Neal will shop around for the vehicle. Mr. Soper asked about the customizing. Mr. Merritt indicated there will be little work necessary such a lights.
Town Administrator Evaluation - Chairman Amico announced that the Board evaluated Mr. Read. Mr. Read scored “expected performance” or above in all 10 categories. Chairman Amico read the following report:
The Evaluation Sub-committee of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Hanson has collected data from all five (5) members of the board regarding the performance of the Town Administrator, Rene’ J. Read. Please note that only four of the evaluations were tabulated as one board member felt unqualified to compete his at this time.
Rene’ scored “Expected Performance” or above in all 10 categories. Mr. Read scored 171 out of 200 (85.%) in an overall performance.
The sub-committee does feel that the following two areas Judgment & Communications should be enhanced prior to the next evaluation. With that being said, Mr. Read’s overall performance fell between Above Standard and Consistently Above Standard Performance in all areas except Communications. The sub-committee come to the same conclusion that the majority of the Board reached: Mr. Read is doing an outstanding job and should be commended for his performance. We hope he continues to show the effort and passion that he has for the past two years.
Respectfully submitted, James Egan & Stephen Amico, November 8, 2011
Whitman VFW Annual Poppy Drive = May 19 – 20 at Shaw’s Market - Chairman Amico read the request from Whitman VFW dated March 1. 2012
Dear Selectmen,
With your permission the Whitman VFW Post 697 members will soon be conducting their annual “Buddy Poppy” drive in your town. As you may be aware this is the only program where we actively solicit donations from the public.
We have permission and will be stationed at the following merchant: Shaws Supermarket on May 19-20th from 8 am till 6 pm
The funds collected are disbursed during the year to needy veterans and their families. This is a most worthy cause and we hope that it will be endorsed by you.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely yours,
John Frazier, Post Junior Vice Commander
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to grant permission for the Whitman VFW’s Poppy drive on May 19 & 20th. Voted 5 - 0
Disclosure of Financial Interest – David Harris – Chairman Amico read the Disclosure of Financial Interest from Mr. Harris. Mr. Harris states that his has no financial interest in the project proposed by J&M Realty Trust located at 1101 Main Street. Mr. Harris disclosed that he is an abutter to the property. There was discussion as to whether the Board can allow Mr. Harris to participate in such hearings. Mr. Read explained that by Mr. Harris submitting the disclosure he is stating he has no financial interest in the project.
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard determined that Mr. Harris interest is not so substantial to affect the integrity of his service. Voted 3 – 1 (Amico) – 1(Flynn)
Discuss training for Grant Writing – Mr. Flynn feels that grant writing is important and would like to see Board members and employees learn how to complete grants. A group will come out and train staff for a flat rate cost of $3,000 for five, three hour sessions. Mr. Flynn indicated that in order to make the training affordable, he will solicit at least two other communities to participate. The more towns that participate the lowers the cost per community. The training would be scheduled by the Town. Mr. Soper would like to have money set aside to fund the training. Mr. Soper wants continued education requirements be written into job descriptions. Mr. Egan suggested that doing it during the day for the staff.
IV OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None heard
V ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSES ~ Camp Kiwanee - None
VI APPROVE MINUTES
February 28, 2012
MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to accept the minutes as presented. Voted 5 - 0
VII COMMITTEE REPORTS – None heard.
Mr. Read reminded Board members of the open meeting law seminar scheduled for Wednesday,
March 28, 2012. He encouraged all board and committee members to attend one of the two seminars.
VIII EXECUTIVE SESSION – Chairman Amico announced the Board would be going into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to collective bargaining and pending litigation since an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the Town. The Board will return to open session only to adjourn.
MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to go into executive session. Roll Call Flynn Aye, Howard Aye, Amico Aye, Egan Aye and Soper Aye. Voted 5 – 0.
8:24 p.m. Brief Recess
8:55 p.m. Returned to Open Session
IX ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to adjourn Voted 5 - 0
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 5 - 0
March 20, 2012
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